An overwhelming amount of counterfeit plush toys and other items were seized from four Winnipeg retailers earlier this week. (RCMP HANDOUT)
More than $70,000 in counterfeit merchandise was seized this week from four Winnipeg retailers.
RCMP executed search warrants on two stores at The Forks, one at St. Vital Centre and another at Portage Place, where they found several non-authentic plush toys and video game-related items. Merchandise included brands such as Nintendo, John Deere, Hello Kitty, Angry Bird, NHL, DC Shoes, Hasbro, Xbox, Quiksilver, Paul Frank, Sesame Street, Transformers and Alvin and the Chipmunks.
“We have been working closely with these companies to help identify stores that are selling counterfeit products,” said Cpl. John Montgomery in a release. “As usual, some of these fakes are very good quality, and some are very poor, yet they are being sold for the regular retail price or even higher.”
The seizure was part of an ongoing investigation under the Copyright, Trademark, and Textile Labeling Acts.
Police haven’t laid any charges as a result of the seizures, but continue to investigate.
